2008 Woodie Awards
Cal's battle with Santa Clara ends in double-OT
Dan Hodes--Daily Californian (U. California-Berkeley)
Issue date: 9/8/03 Section: Sports
(U-WIRE) BERKELEY, Calif. - The Cal women's soccer team has not lost this season, and it has not lost to Santa Clara in a regular season game in the 21st century. After Sunday, the No. 3-ranked Broncos remain simply SC -- Still Can't.
The No. 23 Bears (1-0-2) outworked and outplayed their hosts in the second half and overtime, but had to settle for a 0-0 tie Sunday afternoon at Buck Shaw Field. Ashley Sulprizio had a career-high eight saves to record her first shutout of the year.
"We were tested by a top team, and a draw is a good result at their place," Cal coach Kevin Boyd said.
The Bears had a pair of golden opportunities in the first overtime to untie the score. Early on in the extra session, a 15-yard rocket from Cal's Liz Eisenberg beat SCU goaltender Julie Ryder, but sailed wide of the cage. Eisenberg led the Bears with three shots on the afternoon.
A few minutes later, Kim Stocklmeir slotted a pretty pass to Tracy Hamm, who found herself with some open space towards the goal. Hamm's shot was deflected ever-so-slightly by a diving Ryder, and bounced just inches wide of the goalpost.
Hamm was denied her second game-winning goal against the Broncos in as many years.
"Every team needs someone to step up and score the game-winner, and I want that to be me," Hamm said. "I can't help that she made a great save."
Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Cal was a back line that played its best game of the year. Ashley Valenzuela moved from a defensive midfield posture to sweeper, and freshman Nadia Al-Lami took Valenzuela's spot in her first career action. Those two joined Stocklmeir and Lucy Brining to help make Sulprizio's job more routine, holding Broncs leading scorer Bree Horvath without a shot.
Considering the potent offense of the opponent, the Bears were most impressed with the rookie from Santa Cruz.
"Nadia had such a strong performance for her first game," Valenzuela said.
When the Broncos (2-0-2) did set up a play, the goaltender was up to the task. In the 69th minute, SCU defender Lauren Zealear sent a looping cross that looked troublesome, but Sulprizio beat Marian Dalmy to the spot to end the threat.
Although the result was a tie and not a victory, Cal has much to be proud of in a hostile environment against stiff competition.
"We played better than we did last weekend," Valenzuela said. "Everyone's gaining confidence as we go, and we are a team on the rise."
The Bears will look to continue taking positive steps when Fresno State comes to Berkeley next Sunday.
The No. 23 Bears (1-0-2) outworked and outplayed their hosts in the second half and overtime, but had to settle for a 0-0 tie Sunday afternoon at Buck Shaw Field. Ashley Sulprizio had a career-high eight saves to record her first shutout of the year.
"We were tested by a top team, and a draw is a good result at their place," Cal coach Kevin Boyd said.
The Bears had a pair of golden opportunities in the first overtime to untie the score. Early on in the extra session, a 15-yard rocket from Cal's Liz Eisenberg beat SCU goaltender Julie Ryder, but sailed wide of the cage. Eisenberg led the Bears with three shots on the afternoon.
A few minutes later, Kim Stocklmeir slotted a pretty pass to Tracy Hamm, who found herself with some open space towards the goal. Hamm's shot was deflected ever-so-slightly by a diving Ryder, and bounced just inches wide of the goalpost.
Hamm was denied her second game-winning goal against the Broncos in as many years.
"Every team needs someone to step up and score the game-winner, and I want that to be me," Hamm said. "I can't help that she made a great save."
Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Cal was a back line that played its best game of the year. Ashley Valenzuela moved from a defensive midfield posture to sweeper, and freshman Nadia Al-Lami took Valenzuela's spot in her first career action. Those two joined Stocklmeir and Lucy Brining to help make Sulprizio's job more routine, holding Broncs leading scorer Bree Horvath without a shot.
Considering the potent offense of the opponent, the Bears were most impressed with the rookie from Santa Cruz.
"Nadia had such a strong performance for her first game," Valenzuela said.
When the Broncos (2-0-2) did set up a play, the goaltender was up to the task. In the 69th minute, SCU defender Lauren Zealear sent a looping cross that looked troublesome, but Sulprizio beat Marian Dalmy to the spot to end the threat.
Although the result was a tie and not a victory, Cal has much to be proud of in a hostile environment against stiff competition.
"We played better than we did last weekend," Valenzuela said. "Everyone's gaining confidence as we go, and we are a team on the rise."
The Bears will look to continue taking positive steps when Fresno State comes to Berkeley next Sunday.